Athena Pathway announces AFP Foiling Festival for all abilities
by Athena Pathway 30 Jun 02:34 NZST
18–22 August 2025
Athena Pathway Skipper and CEO Hannah Mills © Athena Pathway
AFP Foiling Festival will take place from 18-22 August 2025 at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), delivering a five-day high-performance programme that caters for different levels of foiling experience, offering tasters for beginners, skills sessions for developing sailors, and structured training for current squad and intermediate-level athletes.
Organised by the Athena Foiling Pathway (AFP), the 2024/2025 season marks the third year of partnership with Hannah Mills OBE's Athena Pathway, fresh from their success as finalists in the Women's America's Cup and podium finishers in the Youth America's Cup. This year's camp builds on the success of the 2023 launch with a fresh programme that includes both WASZP sailing and Wing Foiling, catering to young sailors aged 14-21.
The 2024/2025 season also marks the second year of collaboration with the Andrew Simpson Foundation's Performance Academy, continuing to deliver world-class coaching in the one-design foiling WASZP class.
Importantly, the 2024/25 squad programme has been further enhanced by supporting promising sailors who lack access to their own WASZP, by providing boats for development and training. Athena Pathway is introducing a new 'train alongside' initiative, designed to increase access to sailing for young people from under-represented and diverse backgrounds. We look forward to continuing the 'train alongside' initiative throughout the 2025/26 season.
Hannah Mills OBE, Athena Pathway Team Principal, said: "AFP Foiling Festival is more than a camp, it's part of a commitment to grow and diversify our sport. Our partnership with AFP is unlocking the British high-performance sailing athletes of the future and ensuring that talent and enthusiasm, not access, are the key to opportunity."
Taster sessions for first-time foilers will continue to be a vital part of the outreach effort, reinforcing Athena Pathway and AFP's shared commitment to inclusivity, equity, and participation in the sport.
Programme outline:
- Dates: 18-22 August 2025
- Location: Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA)
- WASZP Taster, Skills, Intermediate, and Performance groups designed to support all experience levels.
- Wing Foiling: Beginner and development sessions delivered by OTC with full equipment included.
- Coaching: Delivered by PA coaches for WASZP groups; OTC for wing foiling / Flight board Groups.
- Equipment: AFP fleet of WASZPs to be used for tasters and skills sessions. Wing equipment provided by OTC. Sailors in intermediate and squad groups must bring their own WASZPs.
Spaces are limited and will fill fast. See full programme details and registration.